Not By Works

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
I consider i do that stones and my preference to not engage with eg is based on better judgement.

I recall you telling me I was going on ignore.. and I don't wish to add anyone to my ignore list but can not always be drawn in by eg.. it is often futile leading to upset.. and I really do not come here to have daily back and forth with eg..

My observation were presented in the post and my beliefs presented to those who may receive... or refuse.
I told you, I was putting you on ignore? Don't think so. Can you find the post?

I do have two on ignore. But, not you.

I actually said this to you because of your response to Katy. You said, "whats your point". How many times have I asked you that? That is why I say ....discuss.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
I'm sorry EG...lol...but how could one who thinks they ran the race humbly stand up? lol You got me laughing so hard.

And I truly love you! :)

Lol, I don't know, I have never met anyone who thought they were finished, so I would not know

are re there any here? Show me one? Or maybe they would just say, here I am?

 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
823
113
Yes I believe so.

Here's one way I see it:

We are saved = Spirit
We are being saved = Heart/Mind (Soul) "Renewed in mind"
We will be saved = Body

Depending on how we look at things, will be the lens we see through, but because we are lead of the Spirit. I choose to see through the end reality, which is I am saved.

It is my belief I am saved that empowers me to be "actively" involved in the relationship. Because He empowered/empowers me.
This is very good! :)
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,138
218
63
I've always heard the phrase..never say never... and there's always a next time...

Anyone of us could be ejected at any time...right? Not enough works and down the tubes we go...forget to believe on a daily basis? Too bad...off to the fires...not obey the moral laws? Now you kids...don't you dare hold hands...(not condoning, making a point)

I hate sin by the way. And I love the Holiness of God which is not anything like religiousness.


What does this have to do with what I said? Nevertheless:

My Heavenly Father loved me so I could be made New by believing His Son's Testimony and love Him.

My whole Trust is with my GOD.
 

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
What does this have to do with what I said? Nevertheless:

My Heavenly Father loved me so I could be made New by believing His Son's Testimony and love Him.

My whole Trust is with my GOD.
Not a thing...was a joke (sort of)
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
823
113
Since you brought up 2 Tim 4, let's discuss it.

What does it look like to reprove, rebuke, and exhort... what does truth look like?

Well let's go to 2 Tim 3 to look at this passage here:

1But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

2
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,

4
treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

5
holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.


Please notice:

Those we are to avoid are lovers of self/money, ungrateful, unloving, boastful, arrogant, revilers (create a lot of problems/argumentive language), irreconcilable (conflicting, won't agree), malicious gossip (talk about others with negative intention), brutal, haters of goodness, etc etc.

So if you want to define what love looks like, you could use the opposite of this list as a good starting point.

And then instead of using that list to compare to others, use it to compare to yourself.

And then you can see if you yourself are following 2 Tim 4. Because I promise you this, people will listen to your actions more than your preaching. And it will be difficult when so many people don't love one another for you to step up and still love people. But it's so worth it because you will discover how much God loves you in the process.

It's His goodness and kindness that leads us to repentance. And I believe His goodness and kindness through us will lead others to repent (turn to Him/think differently) as well.
Son of man, eat this scroll.
And he ate the word and it was sweet as honey in his mouth but became bitter in his stomach.
Unless a man eats the words for himself and suffers the upset stomach himself, he can't help other people with the word.
You eat it for yourself first and it becomes bitter in your stomach and then leads to clearness of sight.

This is like saying...if you read the scroll and think about who ELSE needs to eat the words on it, it's a pretty sure bet you have not eaten it yourself.

That is what I got from what you were sharing there. :) Might just confuse you, dunno...but you have spoken well. :)
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,175
29,478
113
Which he will do for everyone who trusts/believes in him. The promises are only applied to those who believe, not to those who used to believe, or never believed to begin with. That's why we are exhorted to keep believing.
Is it not applicable to all within whom God has begun a good work?

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 6:29
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
823
113
Stunned...long post, but from my heart...

1 Cor 13.4-7...please look at Vs 6 very closely

[SUP]4 [/SUP]Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, [SUP]5 [/SUP]does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, [SUP]6 [/SUP]does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [SUP]7 [/SUP]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.



The love of God is shed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and the love walk is always maintained...and we know what love is from the above passage...

There are 4 kinds of - the first 3 are human and emotional and the 4th is Gods perfect or agape love

1-Phileo-brotherly love
2-Eros-Sexual
3-Storge-devoted love between family and spouses
4-Agape-God's perfect love..

I think many fellow brothers and sisters often times think ALL Love needs to be a display of sweet, oozy, gooey, syrupy emotional Phileo, & storge love...many who admonish others to be more loving here are attempting to get people to love in the Phileo, & Storge love without possibly knowing it...this is because Phileo, & Storge love is often and always confused with agape love....

Jesus operated in Agape, Phileo, & Storge love....

The perfect[agape] love of God is not Eros, Phileo, & storge love because all 3 types of that love have and need an expectation of a return and to be received and most of the times gets the return and is received......



The perfect love of God [agape love] is a love that does NOT seek or expect any kind of a return when it is poured out....it is also a contending type of love...this love does entail the qualities of Phileo, & storge love, but stops in it's expectation of a return or even being received...this love is described in 1 Cor 13.6....

This is also the "loved" mentioned in John 3.16 and God poured out his perfect love on mankind and knew before hand that not all would return the love or even receive the love....

I said all that to say this...when Paul withstood, corrected, reproved, rebuked, disciplined someone in the Church or a fellow bond servant he used the perfect love that does not rejoice in unrighteousness but does rejoice in the truth...

This is the love that Jesus always manifested when confronted by the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes....Yes, he in perfect love called them serpents, vipers, blind, traditionalists, sons of the devil....and on and on....if you really study Jesus way of ministry...he did manifested this perfect love to keep the hearing from being destroyed by the religion they were enslaved by....

I had a mentor once pull me in a room after I preached a message a very long time ago....He took me to a room with an elder closed the door and completely unleashed on me and was very emotionally and visibly upset....My pride and arrogance kept me from seeing that what I thought was emotional anger, was a very correct, righteous anger and deep concern for the people I had just preached to...and could have destroyed by one remark.....I told them: that not one of you is now worthy of what Jesus had done for them....the point I was trying to make was: that before coming to Jesus not one is righteous....I also stated that SIN is something we have to live with the rest of our lives...so get used to it....I messed up really badly

I got right back in his face and he physically grabbed me and sat me down and once I lowered my pride and arrogance and saw him and the elder weeping tears of righteous anger and concern for me and the people...it clicked in my spirit and I submitted myself to the correction that was needed. He finished explaining to me what I had done wrong and what was at stake by not preaching the truth...the elder was in agreement...This was love that does not rejoice in unrighteousness but does rejoice in the truth

Did the mentor need to be upset, who knows, but looking back on it now, it reminded me when I was child and ran out into eh street to chase a ball and my Dad was very urgent in his correction and tone of voice...STOP!!!!! I said STOP!!!!...I froze at the end of the yard and a truck zoomed past and crushed the ball I was chasing...he then grabbed me and shook me and said...do not ever do that again....my Mom was just as upset and they both hugged me....

I came to understand how much Agape Phileo, & storge love that mentor had/has for me to this day....

The arch enemy of agape perfect love is pride, arrogance, the iniquity that is narcissism[self love] and rebellion.....I have heard others say that even Phileo, & storge love conflicts with agape perfect love, I agree with that....

When we expect a return or others to receive our love from us...we are not walking in agape perfect love

I had to tell a born again friend 3 years ago that if he continued down the path he was walking in he would lose the church he had just bought and started....he was preaching a gospel that was keeping God's people in bondage and he was never called to preach, pastor or shepherd....his pride refused to take the correction....he asked me 2 years why I thought the church was not going anywhere...I told him flatly that the was never called to preach, pastor or shepherd....admonished him and explained the scriptures more accurately.....he ended fellowship and then went around to all our collective friends and partners in ministry and lied about us and tried to destroy my wife and I and our ministry...deep betrayal and very deep hurt....

I manifested agape perfect love to him....many others sided with him, because he was out there running his mouth agaisnt us...they thought we were bad people and needed to show more love to this guy and his wife....and they stopped being friends with us and called my Pastor and accountability partners and caused a mess.... but all these folks kept on telling this guy that God called him to preach/pastor/shepherd, forget that meggido man and his silly wife...he is not loving or kind an needs to show more love...

He closed the church 3 months ago and almost attempted suicide and is now shipwreck in his faith and his entire family is as well...he now blames my wife and I for his failure......the others....we still love them and him and pray for them all daily...

When you walk in perfect love that does not rejoice in unrighteousness but does rejoice in the truth.....it is usually with only you and Jesus....
I do not agree with that man putting his hands on you, but that's my opinion.

I think I disagree that when we are walking in perfect love, it is usually only with me and Jesus. If I am walking in the Spirit, I am walking in love with others also who are walking in the Spirit. And I have seen us make great strides in here, despite the setbacks and the starting to walk in the flesh at times. The whole point to me is to walk in the Spirit for longer and longer periods of time (to build that endurance), so that I will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh that always clamor and gibber that someone must respect me or I will begin caterwauling. I don't deserve respect. He does. I don't expect to be treated well, but my brothers and sisters DO treat me well, even when I disagree with them. :) The point to me is to walk in love in the Spirit. He brings us to unity - not doctrine. I think we have caught this at times in here. It encourages me.
 

Desertsrose

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2016
2,824
207
63

Notice this:
1 John 3:23-24 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

To abide is to obey His commandments. Do we obey His commands by works of the law or by works of the faith? .........it's by works of the faith. The one who has faith works. It's what we do.

A hammer hammers.
A saw cuts wood.
A broom sweeps.
A fruit tree produces fruit.

A Christian works. But how do we differ? We're not inanimate. We can hear, see, touch, taste and smell. We are created in the image of God. We can talk and interact with our Creator God. He tells us what to do. So we do it.

Without the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, I'd be like I was before Christ and can't obey Him and wouldn't want to either.

The fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of the flesh are contrasted. If I'm a believer I will produce the fruit of righteousness. If I'm not a believer, I will produce the fruit of the natural man bound in slavery to sin and can't do what our Heavenly Farther requires of us in obedience to Him.

Because I'm born again, I can love Him by keeping His commandments. The carnal man doesn't want to obey. The spiritual man desires to love God and obey Him. The spiritual man is empowered by God to obey. The spiritual man obeying is proof that God is within him. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control can only be produced by the person who's born of the Spirit.

We love because we believe and God has given us the power to love. We obey God because He's empowered us to obey. We don't have to wait around to work it up because it's within us to obey.

So are we going to ridicule those who choose to obey our Lord's commands by loving others? Are we going to say to others your working for the Lord is of your own doing when they say that it is God at work in them? That He's empowered us to obey?

The Pharisee has a righteousness according to the law which works.
The Christian has a righteousness according to faith which works.

So consider that works are not the problem. It's either works of the law OR works of the faith. Works are not to be condemned.


 
Feb 24, 2015
13,204
168
0
The kingdoms of this world have now become the kingdom of our Lord after the cross and resurrection. Rev. 11:15

Before this - the kingdoms of this world belonged to satan.

Luke 4:5-6 (NASB)
[SUP]5 [/SUP] And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

[SUP]6 [/SUP] And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

But Christ has won them back to Himself.
I have stated before this is very universalist in its interpretation.
Rev 11 The 3rd woe or judgement, coming after the two witnessess,
and the casting down of the dragon etc.

I have not noticed these things happening yet, so this is about a future
event, therefore the Kingdom of this world is not yet become the Kingdom of heaven

The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.
Rev 11:15

So this is not referring to the cross and the change of kingdoms after the cross,
but the time of judgement and final reconning, the open display of the enemy and his
final defeat.

Now to take this verse and then apply it to the cross turned the world into Gods kingdom,
linked with satans temptation of Jesus is projecting too far.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Rom 12:1

This world is governed by God and the authority He provides. Satan might manipulate
things, he has never ruled anything.

In Job in asks permission of God to cause Job problems. God rules, and has always ruled.
 
Feb 24, 2015
13,204
168
0
Do people lie here?
I think there is a grey area of interpretation of what people mean, and what they intend that
is stretched into this area, but it is difficult to identify.

So I could say, you won that argument, meaning I believe in the points made.
Now someone else could say they lost the argument based on the same conversation.

What some do not realise is both are speaking the truth. It is why a debating society has
a vote after a discussion, because the belief of who is presenting points and which are valid
is subjective.

This was illustrated by an optical illusion some time ago of a dress. To some it appeared blue
and black and others white and gold. Each saw what they saw, but it was actually blue and black.

It is why respect is often needed to accept we see things differently, and that is ok.
What is not ok is assuming someone is evil and lying with a bad intention. This mainly is not the case
unless someone is really upset.

What is illuminating is how stubborn people can cause great frustration in others, until they realise
this is the way they are, it is not going to change, so adjust your expectations and just explore others
positions, and learn from them.

Another corruption is when people start to believe people are innately evil and deceived, and must
be deceived to see the truth. Once you go down this road, all is lost. It is the road to fanatics
and radicals, and leads to death and war. People are compromised and lost, in denial about sin and
guilt, and this will distort everything they say and do. It is why we need to be cleansed to see Christ
as He truly is and find freedom. Amen.
 
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,431
0
We "get to do good works and we are participating in the family business of telling and showing others of the love and grace our loving Father and Lord have for them" because His life is in us now - but they are not for salvation nor for maintaining being saved.

That's an anti-Christ belief system that is simply a works-based self-righteousness belief system that denies the very work of Christ.

An example of "good works" are when we encourage people to actually believe what Jesus has said and what He has already done. It is a good work to encourage Christians to believe that He alone has obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb. 9:12

Right believing in Christ's finished work on the cross and resurrection and that we too have died with Him and rose to newness of life - will bring right thinking ( repentance ) which will manifest in His life being seen in our lives outwardly as His fruit is borne on us the branches.

This is what produces real godliness based on Christ alone by grace through faith.


As
we have received Christ - so we walk in Him. Col. 2:6-8

This is all done by grace through faith alone in Christ and what He has already done on the cross and resurrection.


Without Him - we can do nothing.

It is a "good work" to encourage people to trust that He who has begun a good work in you will perfect it. (Phil. 1:6)

It is a "good work" to encourage Christians to believe that we are new creations in Christ ( 2 Cor. 5:17 )

It is a "good work" to encourage Christians that Christ alone is our wisdom, our righteousness and our sanctification and our redemption. ( 1 Cor. 1:30 )

It is a "good work" to encourage Christians to believe that we are saved by grace through faith alone in Christ's work on the cross and resurrection and no amount of good works can save us nor "keep us saved". Christ alone is the Savior of the world - especially of believers. ( Eph. 2:8-19 & 1 Tim. 4:10 )

It is a "good work" to encourage Christians that we will walk in the good works that God has already prepare for us to walk in as His life becomes manifested in and through us to reveal the love and grace of our loving Father and our Lord has for others. ( Eph. 2:10 & Phil. 2:13 )

It is a "good work" for us to encourage Christians that we are safe in the hands of the Lord and we who truly believe have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and He will be in us forever - just like Jesus said. ( Eph. 1:13, 4:20 & John 14:16 )

It is also a "good work" to remind Christians that there is a warning for not relying on the life of Christ in us for life and living while on this earth.

All the works of the flesh will bring destruction in this life of some sort - whether living the homosexual lifestyle or the exhibiting of malice, outbursts of anger, deceitfulness or the slandering of others in the body of Christ.

Fail to rely on the grace of God that is only in Christ's finished work and trying to do things in our own flesh will not get us to experience the life of Christ that is in our inner man of the heart where Christ dwells and where we are in the kingdom of God.

The warning scriptures are needed and to be heeded - once the proper foundation of Christ and His finished work are firmly established in the hearts and minds of us Christians. From there - then the warning scriptures will have their proper place.

If we want to experience our inheritance that is ours in Christ while we are in this earth - it's imperative that we don't live by the flesh.

But the firm foundation is Christ Himself and you can no more lose the redemption that is in Christ then Daffy Duck and Donald Duck are the 2 witnesses in the book of Revelation.

We are beloved children of our loving Father and He will not throw His beloved children into hell and the lake of fire because they don't do enough "good works".

Where there is "security" - there are the nutrients for "maturity". Let's believe what Christ has said and what He has already done for us and grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.
 
Feb 24, 2015
13,204
168
0
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus
Phil 2:5
 
Feb 24, 2015
13,204
168
0
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27

Some want so desperately to redefine Jesus's words into a mental belief system rather
than one of actions based on love, it is a wonder what is driving their hearts.

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
1 John 3:17

At the core of someone who wants to deny simple scriptures, you got to wonder the
pain and bitterness that is driving them.

I know for some the very things their hearts do and they deny, is the very thing they
see in everybody else but it has never left their life, so the are hounded like a mad
animal in great pain and anguish seeing the shadow everywhere not knowing it is still
within them.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,584
9,104
113
I do not agree with that man putting his hands on you, but that's my opinion.

I think I disagree that when we are walking in perfect love, it is usually only with me and Jesus. If I am walking in the Spirit, I am walking in love with others also who are walking in the Spirit. And I have seen us make great strides in here, despite the setbacks and the starting to walk in the flesh at times. The whole point to me is to walk in the Spirit for longer and longer periods of time (to build that endurance), so that I will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh that always clamor and gibber that someone must respect me or I will begin caterwauling. I don't deserve respect. He does. I don't expect to be treated well, but my brothers and sisters DO treat me well, even when I disagree with them. :) The point to me is to walk in love in the Spirit. He brings us to unity - not doctrine. I think we have caught this at times in here. It encourages me.
You rock sister!
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
It's the lost that don't have the helmet to protect their heads from deceptions. They will believe the lie.

no

the helmet of salvation is self explanatory

no unbeliever can put it on, so why are believers told to put it on?

watch out for the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour

he has already chowed down on those who do not believe and do you know a non-believer who will put on an imaginery helmet of salvation, or breastplate of righteousness or sword of the spirit? they will watch Lord of the Rings until they dream about it, but Christianity is nonsense to those who perishing

don't be deceived by smooth words and promises of peace or the kingdom of Jesus is on the earth.

this will not happen

no one but Jesus can usher in His own kingdom. to say men will do so is a fabrication of false prophets and teachers
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
[h=1]Ephesians 6:11-18[/h][FONT=&quot]11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints

Ephesians 6

Prayer is the oil to keep the armor from becoming rusty

we can use the shield to protect others

armor is actually spoken of in many ways in the Bible[/FONT]
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
stephen

if you are peeking as a guest

sorry to see you gone
and
even if we disagreed sometimes i dont recall you ever once being out of line with me

may God bless you where ever you go man

Stephen was a good guy when you got to know him

I am quite sorry to see him gone

hugs Stephen